Regular readers of VRFocus will know that we often dip into how virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and even mixed reality (MR) are being utilised in the world of arcades and amusements – or to use the umbrella term with other similar ventures, Digital Out-of-Home Entertainment (DOE), in our regular series The Virtual Arena by guest writer Kevin Williams. (The most recent two part column of which you can find here and here.)
The DOE industry is always a busy one with things changing all the time, and the addition of immersive technologies hasn’t done anything to slow things down. In fact there are a number of events already on the way in 2018, in the UK alone this week is the EAG and Visitor Attraction Expo; taking place at the ExCel Exhibition Centre in London from tomorrow, January 16th through to January 18th 2018.
At the end of next month however, the DOE industry’s attention will switch back to Las Vegas, Nevada (just after we’ve finished there for everything with CES 2018) for the upcoming Amusement Expo International at the Las Vegas Convention Center. There, for the very first time there’ll be an entire day of panels and seminars all dedicated to VR as well as a dedicated pavilion for VR related exhibitors.
“Arcades will continue to be the locations where most people will first experience VR”, says Bob Cooney who acted as curator for the Amusement Expo International’s ‘Virtual Reality Education’ programme of events. “Billions of dollars have been invested in virtual reality startups based on the expectation that the consumer market was poised to explode. However, with consumer adoption emerging slowly, companies are now flocking to location-based entertainment as a means to showcase their products and build the consumer awareness they hope will lead to greater adoption.”
The current event list is scheduled as follows, with all events taking place in Pavilion 4 at The Westgate Hotel on Tuesday, February 27th:
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM – Introduction: Virtual Reality – History and Trends of Consumer and LBE VR
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM – SWOT Analysis for the LBE Market
12:45 PM – 1:30 PM – Moderated Panel: Marketing and Positioning your VR Attraction for Maximum Reach and ROI
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM – Moderated Panel: Why and How VR Attractions Require a Different Operations Mindset
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – How to Select the Right Content and Equipment for your Audience
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM – Thinking Outside the Box
VRFocus will bring you more information about the activities at the event as they are revealed.